Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-11-04
DAKo1A'S INSANE ASYLUMS,
Description of the Hospital at
Jamestown-A Model In
stitution.
One Of the SevereSt Storms Ever
RECOMMENDATIONS Interesting
Items.

The people of Dakosa may we'll feel
proud of their asylums for the insane and
the very creditable manner in which they
are conducted. There are two hospitals of
this nature, one at Yankton and the other
ut Jamestown, in the northern part of the
territory. This is truly modern and
model institution, built and conducted up
on scientific and humane principles. Da-
kota, only few years ago a wild and sup
posed inhospitable region, is to-day the
home of large and prosperous population,
active, eager and enterprlsing, and in edu-
cational and philantnropic work far in
advance of older commun ties. The terri
tory is larger than all of New England, and
Where now are sparcely settled homes, the
coming years shall see
As grand state as worlds have known, in
this one soon to be.
The jamestown hospital is built on the
cottage plan, each department having sep
arate buildings, q desirable feature in
case of fire or contagious disease. In
their construction Jealous care has been
exercised TO introduce whatever improve
ments have been fairly tested in both Eu.
rope and America. In heating, ventila-
ton, light, drainage and water privileges,
easy access and convenient arrangement
OF rooms, nothing seems 10 have been
overlooked, which with the uniform taste
in architecture and the substantial charac.
ter Of the buildings, all combine TO make
it model institution. A noticeable fea-
tllre is that there are no iron bars or CRATES
across the windows, and no appearance
anywhere of restraint or prison life usu-
sually seen about most hospitals. In the
wards are all the comforts and surround
lngs of home, carp-ts curtains, pictures,
musical instruments, easy chairs and news
papers. books, lounges, games, like chess
and checkers, with those of more
amusement hall, with stage and
scenery is provided where dances, parties
and entertainments are given, with billiard
room and gymns sium below. Every de-
slrable measure is used to divert the
mind and recall it from the trains of
thought to which it is accustomed to re-
vert. The percentage of recoveries among
recent cases under this pratical. humane
and homelike treatment Is large, and even
among those deemed incurable there are
many instances of recovery by stimulus
to action and thought thus induced. Much
work, in and out of doors, is done by
patients. The farm and gardens, yield
ing great variety of products were titled
garden We're the delight and
surprise this fall of all Wis
itors, and it is doubtful if there
was finer or larger collection of flowers
in the territory. For months before the
recent frosts the wards overlooked with
hoquets, and patients We'd with attendants
in identifying their apartments W tn these
blessings of nature, which up in that clear
northern air blended in sweet union the
brightest colors and richest fragrances. A
conservatory is to be added in which flow
ers can be grown all the year.
-, ; institution is now in the third year
the existence, and has cared for nearly
word atients, half of whom have been re-
I to home, friends aud reason. DIR.
-, Archibald, we'll known among be-
ind.' ent workers as the founder of the Iowa
lietly alton for feeble minded children, is
Jail. ntendent, and has gathered around